, 1887-05-05
THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER.
PHYSICAL INFERloRITY OF THE
CzAR'S PEASANT SUBJECTS.

People and a Son-NIiIitary Glass.
Their strong Points rs SoIdirrs-Their
prutuiitv and Barbarian.
II is generally supposed that the Rus
sian soldier Is physically an u"ucoinmOnly
fine man. This idea doubtless arose from
the fact that the Guard corps, quartered
at st. Petersburg and Warsaw, and com
posed Of carefully selected men, are the
troops most frequently seen by visitors to
Russia; and these are of strikingly fine
physique. But the average size of the
Russian is probably less than that Of any
people in Europe. The annual contingent
of recruits that Joined the colors in 1888
consisted, according to the ARMED
strength of Russia of 214, 1873 men. Of
these y, 3Sf were under 5 feet l 1-4inches
IN height; 80, G69 were between 5 feet / IA
inches and 5 feet 3 inches; 81 ,49S were be-
tween 3 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 4 "a
inches; 43, 164 were between 8 feet 4 "a
inches anil ) feet 6 lie inches; "a, 432 were
over D feet 0 LIZ inches.
. In all other countries the minimum
standard height for the army is higher
than the above. In the British army, for
example, though 1t varies from time to
time, according to the state of the recruit
ing market, 1t is usually about 8 feet 4 1-2
inches. The lowest 1t has ever reached Is
. feet 3 inches clear; and at that standard
5000 Of the 214, 1873 Russian recruits for
1888, or considerably over one-third,
would have been rejected for the British
army.
AN ILLIrERATE PEOPLE.
The Russians are essentially u race of
peasants. In the above contingent 1874, 1G7
about 80 per cent.-werem oujiks. Thai
they are an iliterate people is generally
known; but perhaps the extent of their
i11itgpOpV Ia nOt an pnnaral1u rani1nI In
the same contingent 1872, $50 men-over
three-fourths-could neither read nor
write.
Another idea which prevails to some
extent is that the Russian is naturally of a
warlike temperament; hat he has an in
born aptitude for the career of arms, such
as exist to n large degree among the
French, or even hat he looks upon SOL
diering as his proper vocation, as the Sikh
does, and is happy only when following
the drum. This, while rue in regard to
the Cossack, is entirely a false idea in re-
gard to the mass of the population. A re-
cent writer in Blackwood's Magazine, who
has spent many years in Russia, gives an
excellent account of the army and of the
%peasantry who mainly compose it. In
reading the following extract, 1t is well to
know that of the Russian soldiers fifteen
years service six are spent in the army
anu INT III lit ItStINC.
Skobeleff knew the Russian soldier
thoroughly and admired him highly, but
he oundi 1t necessary on occasion to yield
TO this savagery of disposition. After the
storming of Cock Tepe and the dispersal
of its defenders he gave his soldiers carte
blanche as to their actions for exactly
twenty-four hours. 1t was a terrible
twenty-four hours for the Turkoman
women and children. A few hours later
l.-l aV-A -
trifiing breach of discipline.
THE PEASANT Al A SOLDIER.
The writer in Blackwood says:
1.-The Russian peasantry Is probably the
most non-military class to be found in
Europe. The moment the soldier gets out
of his uniform he reverts completely to
his original condition, and after twelve
months absence from the colors he is, on
rejoining, little better than n new recruit.
He seems to take nc pride In his uniform,
he hates the irksomeness of military dis
cipline and he particularly hates fighting.
Further characteristics of the moujik are
his logged determination and patience
under difficulties, both qualities of the
highest value in a soldier. He is, under
ordinary circumstances, a soft hearted,
good natured fellow; but there are savage
instincts in his semi-barbarous nature
which end him capable of almost any
brutality If he Is once thoroughly excited.
The awful atrocities committed during the
late persecution of the Jews are still fresh
il our minds and bear witness to the saw
agcry OF the Russian peasant.
The Russian soldier, if given fair
play, is hard to beat. But it is only the
expected danger or difficulty which the
Russian meets hu9 well. Left to his own
resources, the unexpected overwhelms
h.al, and in the sharp struggle where
prompt action Is required he is easily
S~-ur-tet unless thoroughly well led. II
vi strikc II Russian unexpectedly you
I follow up the blow and probably
3'ercame him before he has realized what
= d ARE mt. 1t ia not cowardice that ais
i--i, it . simply bewilderment. In all
Napderings among the Russian peo-
cannot call to mind q single instance
real cowardice displayed; but Oh the
T.. = hand | cannot remember an in.
.:ec Of danger being courted from a
los II adventure or a spirit OF daring.
Fan and love of adventure are unknown
q ldiiiei among the peasantry, and are
I .isrvtore non-eXistent in the army. -
80. Orleans Times Democrat.